Key controlled lock



Dec. 11, 1945. J. WELLS, JR

KEY CONTROLLED LOCK Filed May 2, 1944 3 SheetsSheet 1 Inventor JMV E ll fLLs, J.

I 1 fi 406 a Mays Dec. 11, 1945.

.KEY CONTROLLED LOCK Filed May 2, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 2 E61 Q h ////I Inventor J/W/E Mus, Jie.

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J. WELLS, JR 2,390,973

Dec. 11, 1945. J. WELLS, JR 2,390,973

KEY CONTROLLED LOCK Fil ed May 2, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 QJO-H/V/E Mus, J3-

By I 5 Patented Dec. 11, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,390,973 KEY CONTROLLED LOCK Johnie Wells, Jr., Lancer, Ky.

Application May 2, 1944, Serial No. 533,737

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel and improved key controlled lock which, constructed in accordance with the principles of the instant invention, ofiers certain features of construction and refinement which, it is believed, render it meritorious and more efficient as compared to similar locks known to me.

In carrying out the principles of this invention I have evolved and produced a structure which is characterized by simplicity, susceptibility of adjustment and repair with requisite expediency and one which is structurally different and distinct, the particular phase of distinctiveness having' to do with the locking bolt, associated tripping tumbler and special key and other interrelated features.

In carrying out the specific improvements in the mechanism with which I am primarily concerned, I provide a structure which is substantially fool-proof and yet easy of functioning and proper operation when using a legitimate predetermined type of key.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following de- Figure l is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of a door or equivalent closure having the improved lock mortised and otherwise mounted therein.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the lock case and mechanism, this being on the plane of the line 2--2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the lock case with the lid or cover plate removed to show the internal mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3 simply showing the relationship of parts when the key actuated and controlled locking bolt is projected to its locking position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevation of Figures 3 and 4 with the locking bolt omitted to show the tumbler and spring trip means associated therewith.

Figure 6 is an inside view of the lid or cover plate of the case.

Figure 7 is a bottom edge elevation of the lock ing bolt per se.

Figure 8 is a detail elevational View of the type of key which I utilize.

7 mounted in the receptacle.

In the drawings, the receptacle or housing portion of the case or casing is denoted by the numeral 9 and this is substantially conventional in form and includes a keyhole opening to coact with a complemental opening Illa in the hereinafter clarified, and an assembling bar l4 also to be later described. The latch bolt as shown in Figures 3 and 4 is substantially conventional and is denoted by the numeral l5, this having the usual fork for coaction of the trigger means I 6 therewith. The trigger means I6 is operated by the usual knobs one of which is indicated at l! in Figure 1. It is to be understood that I am not interested in the particular construction of the parts so far described. That is to say, the novelty resides in the locking bolt and key means. I

As regards the latter I direct attention first to Figure showing thetumbler l8. This comprises a bar member pivotally mounted in place as indicated at 19, the same terminating at its opposite or free end in a tang Zll. The central lower edge is provided with a clearance notch 2| coacting with a fixed guide and stop lug 22 A coacting mg 23 is on the opposite edge-side of the tumbler. The free and lower edge of the tang is formed with an L-shaped notch 24 adjacent the keyhole slot, this constituting a lifting surface or shoulder. On the upper edge of the tumbler intermediate the ends is a lateral extension 25 constituting a trip. The free end of a flat spring 26 rests upon the trip, the left hand end of the spring being suitably anchored in an appropriate notched stud 21. The intermediate reach of the spring is flexed by a pressure cam 28 whereby to provide the desired adjustable tension result.

The locking bolt is indicated as a unit by the numeral 29. It comprises an elongated shank 30 having the customary projectible and retractible head 3| at one end thereof. On the lower edge are spaced abutments 32 and 33 alternately engageable with the assembling lug 22 with which they are shiftably and alternately engageable. At the free end there is a Vshaped notch defining diverging cams 34 and 35. There is a web 36 between these cams 34 and 35 and this is a shield or ward element and coacts with the lifting surface or edge 24 and normally depends below said edge as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The upper tumbler,

edge portion of the shank is provided with a trip lug or finger 31 on opposite sides of which the detent 25 locates itself depending on whether the bolt is projected or retracted. There is also a stop lug 38 on the upper edge which coacts with the adjacent fixed guide lug 23.

The key 39 (see Figure 8) comprises a bit or shank 40 with a finger-piece 4| and with spaced parallel tumbler tripping fingers 42.

In practice the shank portion of the locking bolt rests in slidable contact with the relatively pivoted tumbler. The head projects through and beyond the adjacent adapter opening in the end wall of the casing, this as usual. The shank portion fits between the respective longitudinally spaced assembling and guide lugs 22 and 23. When th bolt is in its unlocked or retracted position as shown in Figure 3,.the detent 25 engages to the left of the trip and retainin lug 31. The parts are held in this position by the tension of the flat spring 26.

When the bolt is projected as shown in Figure 4, the detent 25 is engaged to the right of the trip lug 31. Assuming that the structure is in the unlocked position shown in Figure 3, by inserting the bit of the key, t e fingers 42 are compelled to straddle the guard or ward-web 36, whereupon oscillatory movement of the bit by the handle of the key serves to engage the fingers 42 with the lifting head 24 of the tumbler. The tumbler is .thus raised up against the tension of the spring to clear the lug 31. The fingers 42 engage the forward cam 34 so as to longitudinally shift the bolt while the detent is clear of the lug, whereupon said lug 31 moves beneath the detent and the latter becomes seatedon the right side thereof as shown in Figure 4. Then the locking bolt is locked by these coacting elements in projected position.

When the lid or cover H is in closed position, the same being fastened down in any suitable way, the guides l3 straddle the shank portion of the latch bolt means 15. The strip l4 rests against the shiftable shank of the locking bolt to assist in stabilizing and maintaining the mechanism in fool-proof relationship.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may b resorted to in actual practice, if desired. 7

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a lock of the class described, a case part provided with integral longitudinally spaced assembling lugs, a tumbler pivoted at one end in said part and arranged between said lugs, one edge portion of the tumbler being notched to coact with one of the lugs, a keyhole slot formed in said case part, the adjacent edge portion of the tumbler being cut away to define a lifting and lowering abutment surface, said .tumbler being provided along its upper edge with a lateral integral detent, a pin in said case part, a flat spring anchored thereon, the free end of said spring being engaged with said detent, and a tensiohing cam in said case part engageable with the intermediate portion of said spring.

2. In a lock of the class described, a case part provided with integral longitudinally spaced assembling lugs, a tumbler pivoted at one end in said part and arranged between said lugs, one edge portion of the tumbler being notched to coact with one of the lugs, a keyhole slot formed in said case part, the adjacent edge portion of the tumbler being cut away to define a lifting and lowering abutment surface; said tumbler being provided along its upper edge with a lateral integral detent, a pin in said case part, a flat spring anchored thereon, the free end of said spring being engaged with said detent, and a tensioning cam in said case part engageable with the intermediate portion of said spring, a locking bolt including a head and a shank, said shank overlapping said tumbler, one edge of the shank having spaced abutments engageable with the firstnamed assembling lug, the opposite edge of the shank having slidable engagement with the remaining guide and assembling lugs, the lastnamed edge being provided with a projection constituting a trip finger on opposite sides of which the detent lug is selectively engageable, the lower edge portion of the shank being provided with diverging cams and an intervening web, said web constituting a ward-plate and the lower edge of said ward-plate projecting downwardly beyond the abutment surface of said tumbler in the manner and for the purposes described.

JOHN'IE WELLS, JR. 

